₦airaland Forum

The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has denounced a social media account set up in his name to facilitate the upgrade of scores for some candidates.

He said that scores obtained by candidates during the recently conducted Unified Tertiary Education Board were reflections of their performance and that the board would never upgrade scores for candidates.
Oloyede said this in a statement signed by the Head of Information, JAMB, Mr. Fabian Benjamin, on Thursday.
“The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has dissociated itself from the ongoing scam on a Facebook​ account calling for candidates desirous of upgrade of scores in the 2017 Unified Tertiary matriculation Examination .
“The fake statement, which was purportedly signed by the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, gave the list of beneficiaries of the said upgrade and the categories of score with a telephone number that did not belong to the Registrar.
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“The board wishes to state unequivocally that the statement was not from JAMB, the Registrar, Oloyede, or any of its offices nor has he authorised any persons or group to post such an inglorious request and statement.
“The board therefore wants to state that the results received by candidates from the 2017 UTME were the true reflection of their performance after going through a full – proof scoring mechanisms and as such, it did not intend to review the scores or commissioned anybody to do that. The board has also not been directed by any organ of government to do so.
“The board’s examination is not a fail or pass examination as there are other variables that are considered outside the examination to arrive at a successful admission. There is no need to be desperate at getting “high” scores as being touted by fraudulent characters is not a guarantee for admission,’’ the statement read.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/i-didnt-authorise-upgrade-of-scores.html

The Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Ilorin, has unveiled a prototype anti-theft device capable of remotely monitoring and detecting customers stealing electricity.

The Acting Head of the Department, Dr Mudathir Akorede told newsmen on Tuesday in Ilorin that the device could also cut off electricity supply to the premises of customers stealing electricity.
”This will simultaneously send a message to the utility control room to alert the system operator with such customer’s details displayed on the control panel,” he said.
Akorede said that processes of filing application for patenting the invention had commenced through the university’s Laboratory to Product Centre.
The don explained that the device was developed by himself and some students of the Department.
, “I gave the project to my undergraduate students; they carried out the project to a level and I took it over and brought it to a level that was up to standard
”The invention is now up to the standard that it can be patented.
“I have brought this to the attention of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, although not officially, but if adopted, the device would enable distribution companies to cut their commercial losses substantially.”
He said that the idea followed the discovery that most people use electricity without paying for it.
”A lot of people that have been able to get the prepaid meter, even though they can afford to pay their bills, still want to bypass this thing to steal electricity and this is not helping the companies.
“It is not helping all of us as a whole. If the industry should collapse, everybody would bear the brunt of that problem and that is why the consumers too have to share out of the problem
“But this is not to say that distribution companies also do not have their share of the blame by not wanting to take on responsibilities such as faulty transformers,” he said.
More details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/unilorin-develops-device-to-check.html

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied allegations that its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, received gifts to the tune of $50,000 and two Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) from the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

The social media has been agog with news that Kanu collected the sum of $50,000 and two Prado SUVs, shortly after his return from prison.


But IPOB in a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said the allegations are baseless, unsubstantiated and spurious.

It said IPOB is a global organisation with roots in all countries of the world, and capable of funding itself.

Powerful said: “No politician of whatever persuasion can stand today to say he or she is a financier of IPOB because they are neither worthy nor capable of doing so.

“We want to make it categorically clear to all and sundry that IPOB is a gigantic organisation which one man or group cannot have the wherewithal to sponsor. IPOB sponsorship comes from the membership worldwide through voluntary monthly dues and levies.”

He absolved the leader of corruption, urging any politician that has ever sponsored the group to say so boldly.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/nnamdi-kanu-denies-accepting-cash-car.html

A coalition of civil society/anti-corruption groups based in Lagos have given the federal government a 48-hour ultimatum to cancel or reverse the planned concession of the Port-Harcourt Refinery or face a legal action.

The group comprising 20 civil society organisations, including Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Campaign for Democracy, Centre for Change, Nigerians Unite Against Corruption and Grassroots Democratic Initiative, noted that the planned concession to Agip and OANDO Plc amounts to giving away another national asset to few individuals because it did not follow any due process.


Addressing a press conference in Lagos Monady, the coalition noted that the deal is patently illegal, morally bankrupt and economically disadvantageous to Nigeria as a country.

It stated that it had briefed its lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, to start preparing court papers should the federal government refused to cancel the planned concession which it described as fraud.
The group in its statement presented by Mr. Debo Adeniran, Chairman of Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, stated that apart from suing the federal government, it would also mobilise Nigerians for street protest if it decides to proceed with the fraudulent transaction.

According to the groups, if the planned concession is allowed to scale through, the Muhammadu Buhari-led government would also fall into the same abyss of corruption in the petroleum sector for which it is prosecuting officials and friends of the past government.

“We are gathered here today because of our grave concern that, if care is not taken, this government is about to fall into the same abyss of corruption in the petroleum sector for which it is prosecuting officials and friends of the past government. It is ironic that this government is about to be afflicted with the same ailment it promised to cure in the petroleum sector upon coming to power. That singular ailment is impunity.

“We are concerned that despite the queries it raised, the Senate has even opened a small window of possibility to legitimise this apparently fraudulent concession of a national asset. We are concerned that the Senate, with all due respect, may just want to position itself to be part of the bargain to the detriment of Nigerians. As we shall show shortly, the Senate probe is needless as there is nothing to probe.
“The deal is patently illegal, morally bankrupt and economically disadvantageous to Nigeria as a country.

The Senate should have just adopted a motion to stop it outrightly. Hence, we have decided to form this coalition to fight this illegality until the federal government retraces it steps,” the group stated.
The coalition noted that the concession of any asset or infrastructure of the federal government, by whatever name called, must be in strict compliance with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (Establishment, ETC) Act, 2005.

“In this case, there was no advertisement or invitation to bid to which only AGIP/ENI and Oando responded. What we are about to witness is the brazen direct handover of a national asset like the Port-Harcourt refinery to private concerns, without advertisement, without competitive bidding and in gross violation of the law. This is nothing but an economic crime committed by a government against its own people.
“We make bold to say that the strict compliance with our laws cannot be sacrificed for some subjective patriotic motives.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/groups-give-fg-48-hours-to-cancel.html

Sulaiman Lasun Yussuff, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has brought sanity and direction into governance in Nigeria.


According to a statement issued by his Media Aide, Wole Oladimeji, Lasun made the commendation while speaking at the 23rd annual Ramadan lecture and special prayer for the nation, held at Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Abuja Branch, where he maintained that President Buhari, coming to power was a welcome development.

“The president has also proven that government can be run in an open and transparent manner unlike in the past that everything was shrouded in mystery.

“President Buhari has instilled fear into the mind of the people no matter how highly placed you may be in government through his anti-corruption crusade,” Lasun was quoted as saying.
According to him, “President Buhari has created fears into the minds of Nigerians no matter how highly placed or how crooked you may be, you will shiver when his name is being mentioned, that means we are getting there.
“The coming of President Muhammadu Buhari has done two things for Nigeria, firstly, the man has succeeded in the last two years in bringing sanity and direction to governance, if that is the only thing he is able to achieve in the next two years, that is enough”, he said.
The deputy stressed further that the APC administration under President Buhari has succeeded in proving to the whole world that government can be run in an open and transparent manner.
“That is why we are seeing what we are seeing in terms of recovery being made on daily basis by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, this is a good step on a right direction‎”, he said.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/buhari-has-brought-direction-to.html

Dammy Krane's profile on Wikipedia has been updated with information and details of his arrest in Miami. The update according to Wikipedia reads,
'On Friday 2nd June 2017, the Nigerian news circuit was set ablaze with surprising news that Dammy Krane had been arrested in the US for Grand Theft, Credit Card & Identity Fraud.
In the days that followed more details revealed that the talented Nigerian musician had used a stolen credit card to book a private jet from a company - Tap Jets - while on holiday in Miami. The company had detected the artiste's fraud due to discrepancies in the credit card information he had provided.[8][9]. In the days leading to his arrest, the artist had shared a number of photos on Instagram which showed a lavish lifestyle and openly seemed to display wealth'.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/wikipedia-updates-dammy-kranes-profile.html

Students at Beijing’s Yucai High School have to be very careful when playing football on the school’s well-maintained field. That’s because it has a 100-year-old tree growing smack in the middle of it, and keeping their eye on the ball too much can result in a painful collision.

Building a football field around a tree sounds pretty stupid, but it’s not like the Chinese school had a choice. Yucai High School is reportedly surrounded by various historical buildings, and this was the only available space for a football field.
Before starting work on site, the school did ask permission to have the tree transplanted someplace else, but they were notified that it was hundreds of years old, and considered a national treasure. Having it transplanted was considered too risky, so they were left with no choice but to build the field around it.

Interestingly, Yucai High School is built on the grounds of Beijing’s legendary Royal Gardens of the Minq and Qing dynasties, and a reporter for the Beijing News claims that the strangely-located elm tree is the oldest tree in the Chinese capital.
I have not been able to verify that information, as other sources cite the age of the tree at only 100 years.Playing a serious game of football on this field must be very frustrating, with long passes getting “intercepted” by the tree’s branches, and short ones getting deflected by its trunk, but, luckily for the students, they only have to train on it. Official matches in inter-school competitions are played at a different venue.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/chinese-schools-football-field-has-tree.html

The Federal Government on Sunday said that it will not relent until it has exposed those behind the fake news phenomenon in the country and bring them to justice.

In a statement in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said that those behind the fake news had the intention of destabilising the polity and causing disunity among the country’s various ethnic and religious groups.
The statement was signed by Mr Segun Adeyemi, the Special Adviser to the Minister.

The minister urged Nigerians to be extra vigilant in view of the worsening cases of fake news being spread by the unscrupulous persons.
Mohammed noted that over the weekend alone, several major cases of fake news were recorded, each of them capable of causing panic, triggering chaos or setting one group against the other.
He said that a gory video of a blast that occurred many years ago was being circulated along with the false news of a bomb blast in Abuja, while news of a non-existent bomb blast in Lagos was also widely circulated.
He said the Police had however debunked the fake news.
Mohammed said the latest strategy being employed by the purveyors of fake news was to attribute to top government officials, improbable statements capable of destabilising the polity, causing tension and threatening the country’s unity.
”This is why we are appealing to Nigerians not to ever engage in a knee-jerk reaction to any news, and to subject every information to a very serious scrutiny by checking with security agencies and government spokespersons,” he said.
The Minister described the fake news phenomenon as ‘the scourge of our times’ noting that it would “probably get worse in the months ahead”
He, therefore, called on all Nigerians to be very vigilant so that fake news purveyors do not succeed in their quest to sow the seeds of chaos and confusion.
He also appealed to the traditional media, which has a reputation to protect, to join the campaign against the purveyors of fake news.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/fg-vows-to-prosecute-purveyors-of-fake.html

The Vice Chancellor Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Professor Fidelis Okafor has commiserated with Governor Willie Obiano over the death of

his mother Madam Christiana who died at the age of ninety.
In a condolence message, Professor Okafor urged Governor Obiano to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude while praying the good Lord to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.
In another condolence message, the traditional ruler of Nteje in Oyi Local government Area, Igwe Rowland Odegbo, urged Governor Willie Obiano and entire Obiano family to take solace in the fact that their late mother lived an exemplary and fulfilled life.
Describing the late Madam Christiana, as a Community Leader and philanthropist per excellence, Igwe Odegbo prayed God to grant her eternal rest
In a similar development, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, has commiserated with Governor Willie Obiano over the death of his Mother, Madam Christiana, who died at the age of Ninety.

In a condolence message, Bishop Ezeokafor, who described the Late Madam Christiana as a devout Christian and disciplinarian, urged the Obiano family to take solace in the fact that their late mother lived an exemplary life while on earth, and prayed God to grant them the grace to bear the loss.

In another condolence message, a former Presidential Adviser on Inter Party Affairs, Senator Ben Ndi-Obi, who described the demise of Madam Christiana as a big loss to Anambra State, urged Governor Willie Obiano and entire Obiano family to bear the loss with fortitude.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/gov-obiano-receives-more-condolences.html

The World Bank, yesterday, said that Lagos State urban renewal and infrastructure development projects would continue to receive support from it so that the government could deliver more on key infrastructural.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Idiat Oluranti Adebule at Alausa Secretariat, the Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank, Mr Joaquim Vieira Levy said his organisation decided to pick Lagos State as its pilot state for its sustainable development assistance scheme because Lagos was leading in providing good governance and infrastructure that have direct positive impact on its citizenry.
He commended the massive infrastructural development ongoing across Lagos State under the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration, observing that such projects were impacting positively on the lives of Lagosians.

Levy noted that most developed countries of the world have been able to move their economy forward because of the adoption of the Public/Private sector integration model, which according to him would further accelerate the growth rate of development in the state if adopted.
In her remarks, the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti who received the visitors on behalf of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode commended the World Bank for its support and partnership, noting that their efforts had helped the State Government to achieve its transformational policies especially in efficient flood control, transportation and the Eko Education Project initiative.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/world-bank-pledges-support-for-lagos.html

Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, Comrade Uchenna Madu has disclosed that all the groups agitating for the peaceful restoration of Biafra would work together to actualize the goal through a United Nations-supervised referendum.
Madu who made this disclosure against the background of the successful sit-at-home protest initiated by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He commended the collaboration between IPOB and MASSOB in the execution of the exercise and noted that with such spirit the Biafra dream would be actualized sooner than expected. He explained that MASSOB would work towards the referendum as the next line of action, noting that the proposed exercise would give the people the opportunity to express their willingness to leave Nigeria and decide their future.
His words: “MASSOB will continue to press for Biafra actualization and restoration as that is our only agenda and mission. Now that the sit-at-home exercise has come and gone, the impact and fears it created will continue to flourish. It has become a major part of Biafran history. Though it was not the first sit-at-home exercise ever held by the group, but it turned out as the greatest. “The sit-at-home exercise was declared and observed as a litmus test of the popularity and public acceptance of IPOB and MASSOB, it was also observed as a prelude to the coming Biafra referendum.
“The total compliance shows that the people of Biafra are fed up with Nigeria and her system; we can no longer continue to associate our existence with the failed and unproductive state of Nigeria. As we savour the victory and success achieved on the recent sit-at-home exercise, we shall never rest on our oars as the major work to be done for speedy actualization and restoration of Biafra is ahead of us.”
On how MASSOB intends to pursue the issue of the referendum and how it would collaborate with others, Madu said: “The referendum to determine the willingness, decision and resolve of the people of Biafra to leave Nigeria is the next stage of the struggle. The referendum will determine and resolve the Biafra question, it will give room for the people to willingly decide their future and existence in Biafra or Nigeria, it will also enable the international communities to ascertain the willingness of the people of Biafra to be separated from Nigeria.
“The clamour and demands for the referendum can never be done by one Biafra agitation group, it is a general task of all the people of Biafra. MASSOB salutes the Lower Niger Congress, the foremost referendum agitator for the people of lower Niger (Biafra). We also salute the IPOB for their stunt support and clamour for the Biafra referendum. “As the issue of the Biafra referendum takes the front burner position and also the need of the hour, we shall continue to discuss and strategize on the possible and globally accepted means of achieving it without any blemish. The leadership of genuine Biafra self-determination groups will soon meet for the next task ahead.
“The coming Biafra referendum can be likened to a football team. The 11 players that make up the team must work together without rancour for them to achieve success. Though no player is more important but there must be a man of the match, with the collaboration and coordination of eleven players, one player must score the needed goal(s) that will bring the desired victory that the team, supporters and fans and the entire nation will celebrate.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/ipob-massob-will-collaborate-to-achieve.html

Zinedine Zidane said he felt like breaking out in a dance after becoming the first French coach to win the Champions League twice and back to back.

And the astonishing success came on top of his guiding Real Madrid to their first La Liga win in five years.
Zidane who himself was former Real playmaker said he felt like dancing accomplishing the feat in just 18 months of being in charge of the club Zidane with Perez, club president“I feel like dancing,” he said. ” I consider myself a man of this house (Real Madrid).
“This club is really in my heart and we are going to enjoy this. Today is a truly historic day for Real Madrid, for all Madrid fans.”
Zinedine Zidane spoke in the press room of the Welsh National Stadium.
“Nobody has won two Champions League in a row and we did it. We can say that it is a historic day for everyone at Real Madrid, for me, for the players, for our families…But at the same time we know that next year is going to be much more difficult and we will have to work harder. We are a very good team and we deserved to win the league and the Champions League, it’s not been an easy job”.
“There’s a lot of talent in the squad but, in the end, it’s been down to a lot of work. That was the key. When you realise that you can get things working hard, you can do it. I am very proud of everyone. The key has been that everyone has chipped in. We can’t change that and that has been the success of this year”.
“The first half was even. Juventus came out strong. We didn’t have possession. The second half was better. I told them to continue with what we were doing, but putting more pressure on them and playing with more width. But also playing our game, because we know how to play. Scoring four goals against Juventus is not easy”.
“I’m a part of this team. The key to success is that everyone has felt important this year and they’ve all given everything. The team spirit has been incredible. There’s a lot of work gone in to that”.
“I love football, I’m working hard and I’m lucky enough to be at this great club and to have this great squad. With hard work, you can achieve great things. The key to success has been this squad”.
His future
“I’m not going to confirm that I’m going to stay here my whole life, that just doesn’t happen. I’m very grateful to this wonderful club for giving me the opportunity. I’ve got a year left on my contract and I think I’m going to be here next year. We have to enjoy what we’ve done this year. I’d like to get up and dance right here, just like I said the other day in Malaga. I’m very happy. I consider myself part of the furniture. I played here for many years and this club is in my heart”.
Bale
“It was important to him to get fit in time for the final and travel with us. I’m thrilled for him because it was in his hometown as well. Now we’re all going to rest up and think about what we’ve just achieved”.
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, who has now won the Champions League three times with Real and Bayern Munich, praised the impact of Ronaldo after Zidane’s side retained the trophy.
“I didn’t expect that it was possible to defend this title, it is so difficult to win it once,” he said.
“To win it three times in four years means a lot.
“Everybody knows that Cristiano is very important. As a team we played very well in the quarter-finals, the semi-finals and the final but you need a guy to score the goals and he did it again.”
‘Real showed their class’
Veteran Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was the focus of many neutral supporters before the game, with the 39-year-old looking to win the trophy at the third time of asking.
But, as with defeats to AC Milan in 2003 and Barcelona in 2015, it was to be another loss for the Italy number one.
Buffon has won the World Cup, eight Serie A titles and the Uefa Cup – but never the Champions League
“We thought we had enough to win the game,” he said. “It is a huge disappointment.
“I cannot explain why we played like we did in the second half. Real Madrid deserved to win in the second half. They showed their class and the attitude needed to play in this kind of game.”
Coach Massimiliano Allegri was disappointed with his side’s reaction to going 2-1 down to Casemiro’s deflected strike but pledged to return next season and “try again”.
“I don’t think Juventus has reached the end of a cycle at all,” he said. “Buffon will still be Juventus’s goalkeeper next season and Andrea Barzagli will still be with us.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/zidane-i-feel-like-dancing.html

The Makurdi-based First Fertility Hospital on Friday donated drugs and other items to the Benue Medium Security Prisons to tackle diseases ravaging inmates.

The Managing Director of the hospital, Dr Stephen Hwande, who donated the items, valued at over N500, 000 said the gesture was to mark the second anniversary of the hospital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the donated materials also included toiletries, provisions, foot wears, among others.

According to Hwande the drugs are primarily for malaria, typhoid and other tropical diseases.
The medical practitioner said the hospital would continue to undertake activities that would lift the human condition.
“Prison inmates need care because prison is a correction centre. Giving care to prison inmates is part of our initiative of giving back to society.
“Our journey in the past two years has been so fruitful. We have been putting smiles on the faces of people, especially couples looking for kids,’’ he stated.
The Matron of the prisons hospital, Mrs Juliana Idoko, who received the items on behalf of the deputy comptroller of prisons, thanked Hwande and his team for the donation.
She described health challenges as part of the major problems facing prisons nationwide.
The medical worker said that the Benue Prisons was built to house 200 prisoners but that it now housed 800 inmates.
Idoko pleaded with public-spirited individuals and corporate bodies to give assistance to prisoners to give them sense of belonging.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/hospital-donates-drugs-to-benue-prison.html

In a bid to position Nigerians to benefit from the Federal Government budget of over N9 billion on foreign software in 2017 technological opportunities in Africa, a Lagos- based technology institute, NESA by Maker has tasked youths to plug into the company’s program to develop skills that will keep them abreast on information technology.

According to Obinna Ukwanni, chief executive officer of the academy: “ Nigeria has the largest tech ecosystem in Africa, valued at $2 billion in 2017 and the Federal Government budgeted over N9 billion on foreign software in 2017, enough to create 2000 well-paid local technology jobs.

Start ups and established firms in the private sector are spending billions as well to develop their technology offshore due to lack of local talent.While other countries have more than $10 billion unclaimed tech wage due to lack of talent to fill roles.


“We are committed to equipping Nigerian youths with skills required to maximize their capacity to create value for themselves and the Nigerian society at large. Our courses are full-stack web development with six-month introduction to designing and building web applications.”
The first three months will be a focused, project-based academic experience designed to get students up to speed, and the last three months will be a work period where students work on real projects for real companies and have an opportunity to earn as a developer before graduating from NESA.
These could be full-time or contract-based employment and project opportunities. Graduates will be qualified for web development roles, and will have a strong enough foundation to learn quickly and rise to higher levels of responsibility and compensation.” Ukwanni added : “ The first set ended their class few weeks in Yaba, Lagos.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/nesa-to-invest-2bn-in-youths-for-it.html

Igbo in Lagos recently honoured Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode, the former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, and some other dignitaries, as part of activities to celebrate Lagos State at 50.
Ambode, speaking through his representative, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, at the National Theater, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, said the relationship between the Igbo community and the people of Lagos dates back in time and has been a relationship built on mutual understanding and respect.
“It is a historical fact that the great nationalist and one of the foremost leaders of the Igbo nation, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, won an election to represent Lagos State in the Legislative Council of Nigeria from 1947 to 1951. Today, the Lagos State House of Assembly comprises members of Igbo origin, including Sir Jude Idimogu,” Ambode said.
He further noted that the state takes pride in its reputation as the most accommodating in the federation, adding that Lagos is a mini Nigeria because there is no ethnic group that is not represented.
According to the governor, Lagos cannot celebrate its achievements in the past 50 years without acknowledging the contributions of the various ethnic groups, including the Igbo community in the state.
Ambode further said, “I would like to thank the entire Igbo community in Lagos State for organising this solidarity celebration of Lagos at 50. We sincerely appreciate your gesture in identifying with the outstanding achievements of our dear state, to which you have contributed.”
He stated that he has no doubt that the state would continue to maintain harmonious coexistence among all ethnic groups and urged all to be law-abiding.
Member representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II in the House of Assembly, Sir Jude Emeke Idimogu, said, Lagos is known for social, economic and political greatness.
Idimogu explained that, apart from the cosmopolitan nature of the state, it provides the best opportunity for Igbo to do their legitimate businesses. He stated that Igbo have been making the best out of the opportunities provided by the state.
“Non-indigenes, especially the Igbo, are the most welcomed in this state. That is why our people build houses, rent shops and comfortably go about their businesses, which have contributed immensely to the development of Lagos State, thereby giving back in no small measure to the land that blessed them,” Idimogu said, adding that many Igbo, including himself, have excelled in the state.
Also speaking, Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, noted that it was not appropriate for the state to celebrate alone, a reason Ndigbo, the most populous ethnic group resident in Lagos, decided to join hands in solidarity with the people and government of the state to celebrate the golden jubilee.
“We should recall that immediately after the Nigerian Civil War in 1970, the Igbo were among the first ethnic groups to come to Lagos to begin life afresh.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/lagos-50-igbo-community-honours-ambode.html

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has produced another set of millionaires in its ongoing bumper reward scheme tagged, “FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 4”. The latest millionaires, who won N1 million each, emerged from the electronic draws held on May 25, 2017, across Nigeria.
In addition, 640 other customers of the bank were rewarded with various exciting gift items, ranging from LED televisions, power generating sets, decoders, tablets, smart phones and other consolation prizes.
At the Lagos regional draw held at FCMB’s Broad Street branch, Musa Mohammed emerged the winner of N1 million, while at the Abuja/North regional draw in Abuja, Yahaya Mohammed was rewarded with the same amount. In addition, Vidal Effiong was announced the lucky winner of N1 million from the South-East/South-South draw that took place at the Oron Road branch of FCMB in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, just as Mr. and Mrs. James Okechukwu (joint account) are now N1 million richer on account of their winning at the South-West regional draw held at the Gbongan-Ibadan Road branch of the bank in Osogbo, Osun State.
The “FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 4’’ commenced in March this year and will run till October. It follows the huge success recorded in the third phase of the Promo, which ran from April to December, 2016 and produced 16 millionaires and 2,496 other winners of various top-range gifts.
The latest promotion has been designed to provide extra empowerment and create value for customers of the bank, while encouraging financial inclusion and savings culture. The promo is targeted at all segments of the society, especially existing and potential savings account customers of the bank. This, however, excludes salary and domiciliary account holders.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/06/fcmb-splashes-cash-gifts-on-customers.html

Federal Government’s National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, which kicked-off last year, may have gulped not less than N674, 785 for 24 per child, totaling meals on some 1,051, 619 pioneer primary school pupils across seven states of the federation.

School feeding, which is a social inclusion programme of government is aimed at boosting enrolment at the primary level.

The amount represents the nominal cost on each pupil for the programme, in which the government said N7.092b was spent between last year and May 5, 2017 when the budget implementation terminated.

Mr. laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, disclosed that to implement the programme, 25 million meals were served pupils within the period under review, indicating that each pupil received approximately 24 meals if distributed across board at the cost of N674, 785 per child under the programme.
Akande lamented that government’s vision of the entire Social Investment package (SIP) could not be attained due to shortfall in expected revenue, revealing that instead of N500b expenditure plan, only a paltry N41b could be realised.
On the broad, general perspective of the SIP, he said over a million Nigerians are now beneficiaries through the programme, including, 57,234 interest free loans given to artisans, traders, adding that the Acting President has ordered that urgent expansion of programme spending be made to reach more beneficiaries.
Effort, he said, is being made to validate others and ensure that the 200, 000 places provided for in the first batch of the N-Power programme are all effectively validated as provided for under the first phase of the programme.
Akande added that a date for engagement of more N-power beneficiaries and reopening of the portal to receive more applications would be announced soon, stressing that for the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme, 26,942 beneficiaries are being funded at the monthly N5,000 stipend in 84 Local Government councils of nine states, including, Borno, Cross River, Niger, Kwara, Ekiti, Kogi, Oyo, Osun and Bauchi.
He remarked that based on recent directive from the Acting President, the number is expected to add up to about 400,000 beneficiaries (and in more States) in a couple of months.
According to the spokesman, the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme (GEEP) designed for the empowerment of market women, traders, artisans and others, has also recorded good progress with the disbursement of 57,234 interest free loans, except a one-time low administrative fee.

more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/school-feeding-fg-covered-7-states.html

The Police in Ebonyi State on Saturday confirmed the arrest of some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in various part of the state for alleged unlawful sensitisation programme.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Jude Madu, disclosed on Saturday that the arrested suspects also included members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
Madu said that the suspects were arrested for unlawfully sensitising the public to stay at home on May 30, in observance of the group anniversary.
“They would be charged to court and the command would ensure that they are duly prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
“IPOB and MASSOB are illegal groups and did not get permission from the police to embark on such exercise which threatens the peace and security of the state.
“The command with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Titus Lamorde, has commenced intensive sensitisation of the populace to disregard the sit-at-home directive and go about their lawful businesses,” he said.
Madu warned members of the group not to carry out outlawed activities within the state before, during and after May 30, as the full weight of the law would be brought on any defaulter.
“Any person or group found culpable would be arrested and duly prosecuted as the groups’ activities amount to mutiny or fighting a sitting and legally recognised government.
“IPOB and MASSOB are techniques developed by some individuals to gain public interest and recognition as the former is even a breakaway organ of the latter.
“These groups have not provided amenities or other forms of social security for the people they are directing to stay at home; it shows that their intentions are not sincere and must be rejected by all,” he said.
He advised the groups that not everybody was interested in issues concerning secession as people still remember the horrors of the civil war and other upheavals in the country after then.
According to him, they should realise that most people are not interested in their preaching, therefore, they should not force anybody to be involved in their illegal and unlawful practices.
Madu called on traditional rulers and town unions across the state to assist the police in sensitising the people and provide relevant information about the group’s activities.
“The command has distributed various call contacts (numbers) to the public to report activities of these groups within this period, especially molestation, if they refuse heeding to the stay-at home order.
“Any gathering of two or more people propagating the IPOB/MASSOB messages or executing related activities should be promptly reported to the police for immediate actions,” he said.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/police-arrest-ipob-massob-members-in.html

The Nigerian Embassy in Washington has protested to the U.S. Government over the violation of its premises by the Secret Service agents following a fracas between two local workers.

The Acting Ambassador/Charge d’Affaires, Hakeem Balogun, said that a “protest note” had been transmitted to the U.S. Department of State.

Balogun condemned the violation of the diplomatic protocol over altercation by two Embassy drivers adding: “The embassy has as well transmitted a protest note to the U.S. Department of State.

“We have sent a protest note in respect of the entrance by the police into the embassy. It is against diplomatic protocols.
“They are not supposed to enter the embassy. The protest letter is in respect of the entrance of the police into the embassy,” Balogun said.
The Nigerian envoy also said that he “has since taken appropriate and timely, administrative and diplomatic steps to address the incident.
“These measures include the immediate and indefinite suspension of the two local staff members involved in the fracas.
“There is the establishment of a Committee to investigate and recommend appropriate disciplinary actions against the two locally-recruited staff members involved in the fracas.”
Balogun dismissed the publication by a Nigerian newspaper alleging that “the United States Police was called in to restore order in the Embassy as a result of ‘a physical fight’.
The ambassador also described as baseless, claims that the fracas took place “in the full glare of dozens of guests and visa applicants”.
“To buttress its report, the Newspaper attached a photograph claiming to be the ‘chaotic situation’ that erupted as a result of the fight,” he said.
According to him, however, the dispute between two of its drivers took place in the basement area of the Chancery where Embassy drivers are stationed.
“The physical encounter was, therefore, not in the full glare of the public as to have caused a chaotic situation.
“A cursory look and careful analysis of the picture attached by the Newspaper will reveal to anyone conversant with the Embassy’s premises that the picture used has no physical connection to the Embassy.
“This was clearly an effort at deception,” the ambassador said.
On the issue of the nationalities of the Embassy’s local staff members, he said the primary qualification for employment into the non-diplomatic workforce is knowledge of the job, not the nationality of the applicant.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/embassy-violation-nigeria-protests-to-us.html

For the second time in eight months, gunmen yesterday stormed at the Lagos State Model College in Igbonla, Epe and kidnapped six pupils.
They struck barely three days after writing the school of their coming.
Those kidnapped are Yusuf Farouk, Ramon Isiaka, Pelumi Philips, Peter Jonas, Adebanjo George and Judah Agbaosi. Four of them are in SS1 and two, SS 2.
The kidnappers, it was learnt, were in police uniforms. Some of them were hooded.

Residents said the gunmen had been prowling the town for days, adding that two persons including a poultry farmer, who notified soldiers of their presence, were killed.
Their plan to strike on Wednesday was said to have been foiled by security operatives.
But they returned early yesterday and took away 10 pupils. Four of them were said to have been released after being profiled.
Those freed were said to have told the kidnappers that their parents were farmers, poor, dead or phone numbers not known.
Some of the pupils who spoke with The Nation said the gunmen started shelling their hostels’ roofs on Wednesday night.
They said the police kept the kidnappers at bay.

A pupil said those the kidnappers attacked were in Yellow and Green Houses, adding that they were about six in number.
He said: “They came into our hostel. At first we thought they were policemen because they were dressed as such. But because some of them covered their faces, we became skeptical. They have been shooting for days now. They even wrote the school that they would come. They threatened to kill 146 students when next they come.
“We took cover. Some of us hid under the bunk but those whose legs came out, they drew them out. We have been indoors since Wednesday night.”
A pupil said the kidnappers demanded to see his phone, adding: “I told them I don’t have a phone. That we are not allowed to use one. They wore police uniform and they carried guns. They told some of those they took away to cooperate. They asked one boy what his parents do for living and he said his father was a mechanic and his mother a pepper seller, so they left him.
“They asked another one and he said his father was a pilot and they took him away. They used their gun butt to smash out window at the VIP section. Then, they saw a leather slippers and they took it away. I like the school but the insecurity is too much.”
Angry parents, who besieged the school, protested the restriction of their children to the hostels. They insisted on taking their kids home.
The parents, who frowned at what they called the school’s “inadequate security”, said their children would only return when situation improves.
According to the parents, they had asked the school to “clear the bushes, erect a formidable fence, put a police post by the creek and also station an armoured tank there, but none was done.”
They said the school’s fence was weak, adding that the gunmen broke the wall with a log because of its feebleness.
Mrs. Riskat Odunukan, whose son was released after he told them his father is dead, said she thought it was a dream.
Moruf Ramon and his wife, Ikmot, whose son, Isiaka was whisked away, appealed to the government to help them get him back.
Ramon said: “Someone called me that some children were kidnapped from the school. It was when I got here that I realised my son was among those taken away. My blood pressure has risen since then.The school did not tell us anything initially. It was when we got to school that they called us inside and said they are working on it. They told us they got a letter about three days ago from the kidnappers that they would come, but they never told us anything until the kidnappers came. I don’t know what to do. It is part of the anger of the parents.”
Another parent Isiaka Yusuf whose son was also kidnapped, said he was devastated by the incident.
The school management, he said, had promised that the children would be released, adding that they were told to inform the school whenever the kidnappers contacted them.
Mrs. Amirat Alamorieda said the kidnappers took the pupils away after the soldiers guarding the school left.
She said: “They took 10 of the children but returned four after profiling them. Those whose parents were not rich, were released, while those whose parents were rich were taken away. Apparently, they came when the soldiers guarding the school had left. It was around 6am. And it seems they targeted when the security personnel would leave. The kidnappers knew their timing.
“The school should release our children for us. We are not saying we won’t return them but we want permanent security. When they secure the place, we would return our kids.”
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, who was at the school, declined comment. The school also refused to talk.
A member of the House of Assembly representing Epe Constituency II, Segun Olulade said the parents’ request to take their children home was granted to calm frayed nerves.
The government, he said, had improved on the schools’ security, adding that everything would be done to rescue the pupils.
The Nation learnt that Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Commander Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, and some security chiefs have gone on an aerial surveillance of the creeks.
The police command described the gunmen as pirates/kidnappers, adding that they struck around 5am.
The command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Polce (ASP), said investigation and rescue operations had begun.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/gunmen-kidnap-six-school-boys.html

The guy is a treasure and should be treated as such. Actually, he should be given a statue in every city across the world with a shrine reading, “Here is David Beckham. Please bow down to his beauty.”

If you ever wondered what life would be like on a deserted island with David, rest assure he’ll know how to survive.

You know how we feel about David Beckham!

more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/david-beckham-catches-might-heavy-fish.html

She is looking so beautiful in this outfit
More at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/phptos-juliet-ibrahim-slays-in-stunning.html?m=1

Nigeria’s economy contracted for a fifth straight quarter, official figures showed Tuesday, as low oil production dented overall output.

Gross domestic product shrank by 0.5 percent in the first three months of 2017, an improvement from a 1.7 percent fall in the last quarter of 2016, said Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics.

Despite an encouraging pick-up of momentum in the non-oil sector, the latest reading disappointed expectations of a modest recovery and an exit out of a debilitating recession.



“It’s worse than what we’d expected,” said John Ashbourne, Africa economist at London-based Capital Economics.
“But if you remove oil, non-oil GDP increased. Manufacturing picked up and construction picked up,” Ashbourne said, “it’s a pretty positive set of figures in the sense that the contraction is easing.”
As a result of attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the oil-producing swamplands, last year production fell to a low of 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) and Nigeria’s growth contracted by 1.5 percent.
“The numbers still show a contraction, although at least the hemorrhage has stopped,” said Cheta Nwanze, research head at SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based advisory firm, “I’m cautious because we are growing too slowly.”
Growth is likely to pick up in the next quarter if there are no new attacks on oil and gas infrastructure.
Economists say a new government policy increasing the availability of foreign exchange is already yielding positive results.
“Given the weak base, double-digit oil sector growth is possible going forward, even given compliance with OPEC oil production cuts which may take effect following this week’s meeting,” said Razia Khan, Africa economist at Standard Chartered Bank.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/nigerian-economy-shrinks-by-05-in-q1.html

Two fallen peacekeepers from Nigeria, Commodore Christopher Ademu Abu and Sergeant Mayehm Norbert, are among the 117 that would be honoured with the posthumous Dag Hammarskjöld medal.

NAN reports that the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is a posthumous award given by the UN to military personnel, police, or civilians who lose their lives while serving in a UN peacekeeping operation.

The medal is named after Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary-General of the UN, who died in a plane crash in what is now Zambia in September 1961.



The UN, in a statement, said the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, would award the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal posthumously to the 117 fallen heroes at the UN Headquarters on Wednesday.

The Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UN headquarters would observe the 2017 International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on May 24.
“Two fallen peacekeepers from Nigeria are among those to posthumously receive the Dag Hammarskjöld medal , Commodore Christopher Ademu Abu, who served with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
“And Police Sergeant Mayehm Norbert, who was deployed with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL),” the statement read.
Nigeria is the 14th largest contributor of military and police personnel to UN peacekeeping.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/un-to-honour-2-nigerian-fallen.html

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel says Nigeria has been spending not less than N750b on importation of pencils yearly.

Emmanuel said with all the raw materials available, it was shameful for the giant of Africa to continue to import such item.

At the commissioning of Pencil and Toothpick factory in Uyo on Monday, Emmanuel said Akwa Ibom is far ahead of Nigeria as it was already producing both items before the federal government began such contemplated.


He disclosed plans to, as soon as possible begin a plastic and plastic consumables factory just beside the pencil and toothpick industry.
The governor said his intention was to ensure that beneficiaries of the free and compulsory education in the state have regular supplies and pencil.
“In the next few months we are bringing plastic and plastic consumables factory here. We want to make sure that we have regular supplies of pencils to support our free and compulsory education policy in the state”.
“Akwa Ibom is one of the very few states that offer free education in Nigeria. We want to ensure that all the consumables for schools are produced here”. He said
The Governor pledged to ensure that AKEES pencils and toothpick are available in all 36 states of the federation.
Responding to critics of his groundbreaking ceremonies across the state, the governor said no meaningful development can take place without a foundation.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/nigeria-spends-n750b-yearly-on-pencil_75.html

Subaru Corp. is considering electric versions of its existing models for the carmaker’s first foray into the technology, as it joins peers around the world in pouring cash into battery-powered vehicles amid tightening emissions rules.

The Japanese company, which plans to make record investments in research and development in this financial year, is weighing installing electric powertrains in current models rather than designing an all-new car, Chief Executive Officer Yasuyuki Yoshinaga, 63, said in an interview on Friday. The move would allow Subaru to capitalize on its reputation for safety while eliminating the need to partner with another automaker, he said.

Such a strategy would contrast with the approach of other manufacturers like Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz. The luxury-car maker has bundled its electric-vehicle technology, including charging boxes and energy storage, under the EQ sub-brand, giving it more visibility to better compete with Tesla Inc. Yoshinaga sees advantages in sticking with a single nameplate.

“If there’s already an attractive Subaru model, for example the XV crossover, and if a customer in Beijing wants one but is only allowed to buy an electric vehicle, if there’s no electric version then he can’t buy it,” he said at the automaker’s headquarters in Tokyo. “Providing the choice of an EV means the customer can still desire the same Subaru.”

R& Spending
Subaru is prioritizing spending on electrification over other technologies, like autonomous driving and connected cars, as it races to bring a plug-in hybrid model to market next year and an all-electric vehicle by 2021. The company is budgeting 134 billion yen ($1.2 billion) on research and development in the 12 months through March 2018, more than double what it spent in the year ended March 2014.

Subaru’s spending on R& is still less than the big Japanese automakers that are also stepping up efforts to produce electric vehicles. Toyota Motor Corp., which owns 16.9 percent stake in Subaru, plans to spend 1.05 trillion yen on R& in the current fiscal year and Honda Motor Co. will invest 750 billion yen.

Subaru’s shares rose 0.2 percent as of 10:15 a.m. in Tokyo trading, while Japan’s benchmark Topix index gained 0.3 percent.Toyota aims to introduce a global electric vehicle model and Honda unveiled an all-electric version of its Clarity sedan last month. Honda has also said it plans to set up a joint venture with Hitachi Automotive Systems Ltd. to develop and produce motors for electric cars.

While Yoshinaga said he’s not against a partnership for the all-electric vehicle, simply adding an electric powertrain to one of Subaru’s existing vehicles would make a tie-up unnecessary. Instead the key will be the selection of suppliers for the battery and motor. A decision on this will have to be made in about a year, he said. He mentioned Panasonic Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. among possible partners.

Subaru can take this approach because what defines the brand now is safety, not the boxer engine that is currently found in its entire lineup of only gasoline-powered vehicles, according to Yoshinaga.

The XV crossover, called the Crosstrek in the U.S., and the Impreza sedan were awarded the top prize this year with the highest score ever in the state-run Japan New Car Assessment Program, which included tests for crashworthiness and pedestrian protection. The Impreza also receiv ed the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest safety standard this year in the U.S.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/subaru-considers-electric-versions-of.html?m=1

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, yesterday raised the alarm that the nation’s judiciary is under threat.

He spoke during a thanksgiving service at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Abuja Diocese, Zone 3.

Justice Onnoghen who thanked God for seeing him through his delayed emergence as the substantive CJN called on Nigerians to pray for the survival of the judiciary.

He lamented that judicial officers in the country were being castigated and accused of corrupt practices by agents of the Federal Government and politicians without giving them an opportunity to be heard.

Accompanied by his family members, his brother Justices of the Supreme Court, past governors and other senior members of the legal profession, he thanked God for seeing him to the peak of his career:

“I did not set out to be a Judge, but today I am a judge by divine intervention. It is the Lord’s doing, mine is to follow. My prayer is that God should help me and should not let me down.

“I thank Nigerians for attending this event. It is supposed to be personal thing between me and my God, but I have no hiding place. I thank God for fulfilling His promise to me.

“The Judiciary is under threat. Judges and judicial officers, including myself are being castigated without giving opportunity to be heard, but God knows our heart.”

He cited the case involving Anambra Central Senatorial election where a senator had accused the judiciary of robbing her of her mandate.

Justice Onnoghen submitted that the leadership of the country could only get it right if guided by the constitution and rule of law.

Dignitaries at the thanksgiving service presided over by the Archbishop of Abuja Diocese of the Church, the Most Rev. Joseph Oche Job, included the Head of Service of the Federation, former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, his Cross River State counterpart, Senator Liyel Imoke, the Chief Judge of Cross River State and Senator Ndoma Egba.

Justices of the Supreme Court present were Justices Mary Odili, Bode Rhodes- Vivour; Clara Ogunbiyi; Olukayode Ariwoola; Chima Centus Nweze; John Iyang Okoro and John Fabiyi (retd), while Justice Amina Augie represented the Court of Appeal.

Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) also attended in their numbers including Adegboyega Awomolo and his wife, Bayo Ojo; Niyi Akintola; Sabastine Hon; Alex Izinyon; Joe-Kyari Gadzama; Damien Dodo; Sunday Ameh; Yakubu Maikyau and Godwin Obla.

Rev. Job prayed God to direct and give the CJN the wisdom to lead the nation’s judiciary.In a related development, Justice Onnoghen called on Nigerians to petition any judicial officer involved in corruption and unprofessional conduct to the National Judicial Council (NJC), which he heads.

He was reacting to a publication titled: “Anambra Central: Judiciary Robbed Me of My Mandate – Ekwunife,” in which the interviewee – Senator Uche Ekwunife – accused the Judiciary of robbing her of her mandate in the 2015 Anambra Central Senatorial Election through nullification.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/judiciary-under-threat-cjn.html?m=1

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given a pass mark to the Prof. Ishaq Oloyede-led Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over its performance in the conduct of last week Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The group in a statement signed by its national president, Aruna Kadiri said there position is informed by the report of their various field officers sent across the country on independent assessment and monitoring of the exercise.

It noted that despite some teething technical problems experienced in some centres and some externally induced hitches which were beyond the control of the board, the conducts of the exam was hugely successful in many parts of the country.

“With the increase in numbers of students for this year’s examination and also considering the fact that this is the second fully Computer Based Test (CBT) to be conducted by JAMB, the NANS is of the view that the conduct of the exam was a marked improvement over previous years,” it said.

The students body said the various reforms put in place by the Professor Oloyede leadership to make the exam corruption free and fraud proof yielded results as there were no cases of Cyber hacking as witnessed in previous years.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/nans-gives-jamb-pass-mark-over-utme-2017.html?m=1

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, said on Sunday that street begging by children has no basis in Islam and challenged those engaging in the act to find other means of earning a living.

Abubakar, who is also the President-General of Jema’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) stated this while presiding over the pre-Ramadan meeting of JNI’s Central Committee, held at the JNI headquarters, Kaduna.

According to him, “Almajiri system of begging is not representing Islam and must, therefore, be dissociate from Islam.Islam encourages scholarship and entrepreneurship and frowns at laziness and idleness as exemplified by itinerant Almajiri.
He, therefore, attempt must be made to stop the practice of Almajiri system of begging among Muslim faithful,’’ he said.

He noted that hunger and poverty were responsible for children begging on the streets, urging the government, particularly at the state level to prioritise welfare of their citizens to address hunger and poverty.

He also urged state governments to strengthen the institution of ‘Zakkat’ and endowment to address wanton poverty.

The Sultan urged the government at all levels, particularly at the state level to rise to their responsibilities of ensuring welfare of every citizen.

NAN reports that the event is an annual meeting meant to set modalities and guidelines for moon sighting and general Muslims conduct during the holy month.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/street-begging-by-children-unislamic.html?m=1

Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has advised the Nigerian youth to remain focused in all they do and not to remain where they are dropped.
Obi, who spoke at a conference organised by the Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria, Nnewi Diocese, at the Okofia, Nnewi campus of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, urged Nigerian youths not to lose focus no matter the distractions that confront them in their quest for success. He disclosed that in spite of the fact that people called him names in an attempt to force him to recklessly share Anambra State’s funds when he was in office as governor, he refused and stayed focused in delivering dividends of democracy to the people.
He noted that a committed man should not be interested in making few friends happy but rather remain focused on doing what is right and beneficial to the entire society.
Obi advised youths not to allow themselves to be used by politicians, noting that some of them send their children to schools abroad and remain at home looking for youths to use as thugs.
Speaking after the conference, the chaplain, Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria, Nnewi Diocese, Rev. Fr. Chetanna Jude Chukwuneke, said the programme was fulfilling, noting that it was designed to inculcate positive values on the youth through words of wisdom from men of proven integrity.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/dont-lose-focus-obi-urges-nigerian.html?m=1

Nigeria’s integrated energy company, Aiteo has announced the appointment of Mr. Ratko M. Knezevic to its global executive management team, as Group Advisor on Business and Capital Development with effect from May 5, 2017.
He is also expected to bring to this role, vast experience and expertise acquired through proven track record of direct operational leadership, strategy development, team building, financial and relationship management.

He also served as Special Advisor for Economic and Foreign affairs to Prime Minister of Montenegro from 1994-1997 during which time he also served as Chief of the Montenegrin Mission to the United States of America.
On the appointment, Vice President and CEO of the Aiteo Global Group, Benedict Peters said: “This appointment is a testament to Aiteo’s commitment to stable, experienced leadership and I believe with Ratko Knezevic’s exemplary guidance and advice, based on his vast experience in the UK, US, Europe and China in capital markets, we will continue to grow in the kind of significant proportions that we have come to be known. Mr Knezevic’s unrivalled network within global capital markets offers an excellent opportunity for investment in Nigeria and Africa through the Aiteo Group.”
Speaking on his new role, Knezevic said: “Africa is a new market and offers me a new challenge.
“My previous clients are some of the world’s biggest capital movers, and looking through their eyes, I can see the potential of Aiteo as a major commercial organisation in Africa and the world. I will be saying nothing new to recognise that future world economic growth lies with Africa, and I am excited about playing a role in Aiteo’s expansion, diversification and international stakeholder engagement,” he added.
Knezevic has achieved this immense depth of capability from more than 20 years of top flight experience in international business,
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/aiteo-appoints-international-adviser.html

Nigerian-born British actress, Wunmi Mosaku, has won the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the TV drama ‘Damilola, Our Loved Boy’, seeing off competition from Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley), Vanessa Kirby (The Crown) and Nicola Walker (Last Tango in Halifax).

The story of Damilola Taylor, a Nigerian boy, who was killed in Peckham, London, in 2000, and the final conviction of his murderers, was widely reported in the Nigerian and British press.

The BAFTA Awards held at Royal Festival Hall on London’s Southbank, was hosted by Sue Perkins and attended by British TV’s biggest stars including Ant and Dec, Olivia Colman, Thandie Newton and Ed Balls.
This year’s BAFTA nominations were ruled by The Crown with five nods, followed by BBC3’s Fleabag, BBC1’s Happy Valley and one-off BBC drama Damilola, Our Loved Boy – all with three nominations.
According to Radio Times, in order to be eligible for this year’s shortlist, programmes must have aired between 1st January and 31st December 2016, meaning the likes of Taboo, Broadchurch and The Moorside were not considered for the ceremony.
Damilola was a 10-year-old Nigerian schoolboy who died in England in what became one of Britain’s most high-profile killings. Several young boys were cleared of murder charges after a lengthy trial, and later two brothers were convicted of manslaughter.
Damilola was born in Lagos, Nigeria, to Richard and Gloria Taylor. He attended Wisdom Montessori School, Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos, before he travelled to the United Kingdom in August 2000 with his family to allow his sister Gbemi to seek treatment for epilepsy.
According to Wikipedia, on 27 November 2000, Taylor set off from Peckham Library at 4.51 p.m. to make his way home. He was captured on CCTV as he walked away.
On approaching the North Peckham Estate he received a gash to his left thigh. Running to a stairwell, he collapsed and bled to near death in the space of approximately 30 minutes. He was still alive in an ambulance on his way to hospital.
Different forensic scientists have presented different events that could have given Taylor his fatal wounds. The theory accepted by the Metropolitan Police was that he was attacked and fell on a broken bottle, later bleeding to death. He died 10 days before his 11th birthday.
Meanwhile, at the BAFTA Awards, the boy’s father, Mr. Taylor, begged young people to stop the string of killings on the streets of London as he collected an award for the drama about the death of his son.
Damilola, Our Loved Boy was also awarded the prize for best single drama at the BAFTAs, where Mr. Taylor made an emotional speech hours after an 18-year-old man died in Enfield, north London, after suffering stab wounds.
Scotland Yard said he was the 10th teenager to have been killed in the capital in 2017, reported the London-based Independent newspaper.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/wunmi-mosaku-wins-bafta-tv-award-for.html